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Former Kerry Advisor Speaks At GW

David Makovsky, a former advisor to John Kerry's peace initiative, spoke to students Dec. 1 in the Marvin Center about the state of affairs in the Middle East. The event was organized by GW Hillel.
Photo: Jackson Richman/WRGW News

David Makovsky, a former advisor to Secretary of State John Kerry, spoke to students at the Marvin Center about the current situation in the Middle East on Monday evening. Makovsky specifically focused on the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. His message to the students was to not give up and “hold your head high.”

Makovsky said the Israelis and Palestinians need “Mount Rushmore-style leadership.” He referred to past Middle Eastern leaders such as former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, former Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, former Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, and Iron Dome founder Danny Gold. He said these were great leaders regarding issues in the Middle East.

According to Makovsky, Fayyad believed the Palestinians should follow the Zionists who have an advanced Israeli state, which Fayyad called, “a model.” “Rabin was a war hero,” Makovsky said.

Makovsky also talked about the terrorism in the region. “Warfare is not waged between states, but between non-state actors,” said Makovsky.

Makovsky also touched upon the land disputes between Israel and the Palestinians and the security arrangements as well as the recent attacks in the Jewish homeland. Although unable to go into detail, he talked about this past summer’s war in Gaza. Mokovsky believes the issues left over are the ones that will be most difficult to solve, such as having the Palestinian Authority controlling Gaza. Makovsky also condemned the recent attacks in Israel, such as the Palestinian attack on a synagogue in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Nof.